Cloud Accounting – Why should I care? Post-Event Review

Last week AAB hosted two successful events ‘Cloud Accounting – Why Should I Care’. Our guest speakers gave insights into the difference the adoption of cloud-based software can make to a business.

At the Edinburgh event our keynote speaker was Gary Turner, Managing Director of Xero UK. He spoke about the pace and impact of change, and the death of distance in the workplace, whilst emphasising that there are things that computers suck at – creativity, making moral choices, common sense amongst them – and that whilst there are professions which will undoubtedly be affected by the digital transformation, people will still be at the heart of everything.

In Aberdeen Ellie Redfern, National Account Manager at Xero, gave an introduction to Xero; her product overview demonstrated the benefits to business of moving to a cloud platform, including the compliance changes arising from Making Tax Digital for VAT, which will not be an issue for any VAT registered businesses using Xero from next April.

Speakers from izettle – Tom Moore (Edinburgh) and Simon Elliot (Aberdeen) discussed the impact of technology on the food and drink sector, as it becomes cheaper, more integrated – and mobile. In Edinburgh delegates were also treated to some colourful insights into the running of one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants, Aizle, by ops manager Jade Johnston.

Matt Flanagan, Managing Director of BlueHub, the UK’s leading cloud integration specialist, shared enlightening case studies where business processes have been transformed by the implementation of cloud technology, including his own business. Two of the apps included in his case studies were Receipt Bank and Float, and representatives from those apps were then able to further explain how they impact on the businesses who use them.

Mike Phillips showed how Receipt Bank can help you work smarter and grow faster through automated document capture and data extraction, enabling business owners and managers to spend more time doing what they love, as well as making a difference in customers’ lives. And making sure all business expenses are claimed!

Colin Hewitt, CEO and co-founder of Edinburgh-based Float (Edinburgh), and Sam Fairbairn (Aberdeen) shared the rather alarming statistic that 81% of business failures are due to poor cash management and forecasting, before explaining how Float enables businesses to understand what’s coming up and how to spot upcoming cash shortfalls.

Our final speaker was AAB’s own Senior Manager Lauren McIlroy. She talked about the role of outsourcing, and how, by utilising the power of the cloud, AAB are able to offer support from bookkeeping to virtual finance officer level. She explained how it is an effective way for businesses to gain solid financial support without the commitment and cost of a full-time finance team.

For more further information please contact Brian McMurray or your usual AAB contact.

 

Photos from the Edinburgh and Aberdeen Event: